Estero Morua is a protected area in Playa Encanto. This is the endangered nesting site of The Lest stern. The mating ritual entails the male offering a fish to the female. She will only accept the largest fish from the courting males, indicating her mate. There are several factors that contribute to this species declining numbers. It is estimated that 70% of the birds nests were destroyed last year. High tides wash the eggs in to the sea. Tourists inadvertently step on the eggs due to ignorance and unfamiliarity with the birds nesting season. Locals can be careless and prioritize their recreational activities over the protection of these nesting sites, an all terrain vehicle can destroy an entire field of nest's in a matter of minutes. Coyotes, are the Lest sterns natural predator. They can be seen patrolling the shore for hatch-ling's and the sand dunes for the open nests. Another unmentioned contributing factor is the way these birds nest. They prefer an open space without shelter from the elements. Camouflage is there only means of protection. The eggs take 21 days to hatch and the hatch-lings can fly at three weeks. Despite these opposing threats to the Lest stern survival we can be hopeful that the valuable conservation efforts supported by students like us can impact in a positive and long-term way.
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